Overview

This report provides updated information for life expectancy and potentially avoidable deaths in 2013–2015 across Australia, by Primary Health Network and smaller local areas.

Life expectancy at birth indicates the average number of years that a new born baby could expect to live, assuming that the current age-specific death rates are experienced throughout his/her life. It is a broad measure of population health.

Potentially avoidable deaths are deaths below the age of 75 from specific conditions that are potentially preventable through primary or hospital care. These conditions are classified using nationally agreed definitions. Rates of potentially avoidable deaths per head of population can be a useful indicator of how well health systems are performing.

The data reveal that in 2013–2015:

Nationally, the average life expectancy at birth was 82.4 years–80.4 years for males and 84.5 years for females.

Across PHN areas, the highest average life expectancy for males and females was for those living in Northern Sydney–84.2 years and 86.9 years respectively.

Across PHN areas, the lowest average life expectancy for males and females was for those living in the Northern Territory–75.7 years and 78.5 years, respectively.

Nationally, there was an average of 108 potentially avoidable deaths per 100,000 people, with a rate of 139 for males and 77 for females.

Across PHN areas, the highest rate of potentially avoidable deaths for men was seen in the Northern Territory at 262 potentially avoidable deaths per 100,000 people. This was also the same for women at 185 potentially avoidable deaths per 100,000 people.

Across PHN areas, the lowest rate of potentially avoidable deaths for men was seen in Northern Sydney at 79 potentially avoidable deaths per 100,000 people. This was also the same for women at 46 potentially avoidable deaths per 100, 000 people.